Dispenser for laundry machines



Feb. 2

Filed Aug. 28, 1959 R. P. BERGESON ETAL DISPENSER FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES 3Sheets-Sheet 1 ,Anvenol Qchcnd Q ggeson f. Charles T.' @er man felgen?Feb. 27, 1962 R. P. BERGESON ETAL 3,022,653

DISPENSER FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 28, 1959gggeson i ermcm igen? m 1r n emp MQTQA 5 Amb.. am .kwh Re Feb. 27, 1962R. E. BERGESON ETAL 3,022,556

DISPENSER FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES Filed Aug. 28, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 3BLEACH STATIC FULL LEVEL 50 FULL- RUNNING /B I United States Patent O3,022,656 DISPENSER FOR LAUNDRY MACHINES Richard P. Eergeson and CharlesT. Bergman, Newton, Iowa, assignors to The Maytag Company, Newton, Iowa,a corporation of Delaware Filed Aug. 28, 1959, Ser. No. 836,661 4Claims. (Cl. 68--207) This invention relates, as indicated, to anautomatic dispenser for laundry machines, and more particularly, todispensing mechanisms which automatically delay the injection ofadditives, for example bleach, into a clothes washing machine. It alsopertains to the discharge of additives in a controlled and graduallydiffused manner into the washing fluid contained in a washer.

In the washing of fabrics, it is often desirable to introduce additivesinto the washing fluids in addition to the detergents. lt is generallyaccepted that chlorine types of bleaches, for example, not only bleachthe fabrics with which they come into contact, but also increase theeffective action of the synthetic detergents in the washing fluids.Therefore, it is often desirable to add bleach to the washing fluids inorder to obtain increased detergency, as weil as the benefits of thebleaching action.

However, detergents in many instances contain uorescent dyes which,under certain conditions, may be nullilied by the bleach. On the otherhand, if the fabrics are agitated in the washing uids in contact withthe detergents and the dyes for a period of time prior to theintroduction of the bleach, even though for only a short time, thefluorescent dyes will come in contact with the fabrics first, and afxthemselves thereto, so as to be unaffected by the bleaching additivessubsequently added.

if the bleaching solution is dumped by the operator directly into theclothes basket in contact with the fabrics, there is a possibility ofdamage due to the local high concentrations of the added bleachsolution. The safest method for introducing the bleach into the washingsolution is to dilute the bleach solution first and then add it to thewashing fluids slowly over a period of time while the clothes areagitated,

lt is, therefore, an obiect of the invention to provide a mechanism forautomatically dispensing additives into the washing machine after adelayed period, so that the detergents can first come in contact withthe fabrics to be cleaned. It is a further object of the invention todilute and diduse additives into a quantity of washing fluids and thenintroduce the thus diluted additives into a clothes washer so as toprevent damage to the clothes. lt is a still further object of theinvention to gradually diffuse a dispensed solution into the washingfluids of a laundry machine. 1t is another object of the invention toprovide an automatic dispenser for laundry machines that is simple instructure and inexpensively manufactured. Further objects and advantagesof this invention will become evident as the description proceeds andfrom an examination of the accompanying drawings which illustrate oneembodiment of the invention and in which similar numerals refer tosimilar parts throughout the several views.

ln the drawings:

FiGURE 1 is a front elevational View of a combination washer-drier unitwith the cabinet partly broken away to illustrate the automaticdispensing device of the invention;

FEGURE 2 is a side view in elevation of the unit shown in FIGURE l withthe cabinet, tub, and clothes drum partly broken away to illustrate theinteriors thereof;

FGURE'B is an enlarged perspective view of the ICC tank and fillingmouth in the automatic dispensing device of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a diagrammatic view in transverse vertical section of alaundry machine, illustrating the operation of the dispensing device ofthe invention upon addition of the bleach prior -to filling of the tubwith washing iiuid;

FGURE 5 is a View similar to FIGURE 4 illustrating the yaction of thebleach in the dispensing mechanism upon filling of the tub with washingfluids;

FIGURE 6 is a diagrammatic view similar to FIGURE 4 illustrating theaction of the washing fluids and the bleach upon rotation of the clothesdrum in the tub.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings in detail, it will be seenthat the combination washer-drier unit shown in these drawings includesa substantially flat surface base frame 1l) mounted on legs 11. Mountedupon the base frame 10 are a pair of channel members 12 that are welded,or securely fastened in some suitable manner, to base frame lll to formthe two major supports for the tub, clothes drum, and associatedmechanisms. lt Ywill be seen that the channel members are generallytriangular in coniguration andeach receives a single pivot pin 13 aboutwhich the machine is free to pivot in'arcuate movements. The tub 15 ismaintained in an upright position on pins 13 by centering springs 16connected` between the tub and the base 1li through spring anchorbrackets 17 fastened to the base.

Referring now more particularly to FIGURE 2, tub 15 includes in agenerally cylindrical side wall 19, a front wall 20, and a rear wall 21.Mounted for rotation within the tub 15 about a substantially horizontalaxis is a clothes basket, or drum 22. The clothes drum is aixed to androtated by a drum drive shaft 23. Rigidly connected to the drum driveshaft is a large pulley 24.

Drum 22 has a perforate cylindrical side wall 25, a rear wall (notshown), and a short front wall 26. Clothes varies 27 are mounted on theinterior surface of the perforate cylindrical side wall 25.

A recessed portion formed on the bottom area of the tub 15 forms a sump28. Sump 2S communicates with the drain pump 29 through a drain line fordischarging washing uids from the tub upon operation of a suitable valvein the drain line (not shown).

Tub 15 also includes a circular loading opening 31 which is encircled bya bellows seal 32 having its opposite end fastened to a similar openingin .the cabinet 35 enclosing the combination washeradrier unit. Thesealing member 32 has a number of convolutions permitting arcuatemovement of the tub 15 relative to tne cabinet 35.

A rectangular door 34 hinged on the cabinet 35 carries a transparentglass window 35 having a cylindrical portion extended rearwardly throughthe bellows seal 32 and engageable therewith. This seals the unit whileenabling the operator of the machine to observe the operations withinthe drum during the washing and drying processes.

The power necessary to'r'otate the drum 22 through large pulley 24 issupplied by a single speed motor 37 mounted on a bracket which lissecured on the lower portion of tub 15. rThe output shaft 33 of themotor 37 is driveably connected to a two-speed transmission 3S". Thetransmission 39 drives a pulley il connected to the large drum shaftpulley 2li through a belt 41. The transmission 39 is adapted to provideselectively through a solenoid operated clutch mechanism (not shown) awash and tumble speed land la higher extraction speed to said drum 22.

The foregoing description of a combination washerdrier unit is for thepurposes of illustrating a device in which the dispenser mechanism ofthe invention may be spaanse associated and used. It isclear that manydifferent Washing machines, as well as a'variety of combinationwasherdriers, may be employed with the dispenser device of theintention.

The dispensing unit includes a receptacle 5i) for couktaining additivesuntil they are introduced into the washing fluids of tub 15. Thereceptacle may be-in the form of a hose 51 which is maintained below thetub and of a Volume at least as large as the volume of the additives Ytobe added. The receptacle 50 is located below the bottom portion of thetub 15Vso that the tadditives are not'introduced into the washing iluidspriorto thewashing cycle. The receptacle, although illustrated as Vahose5l, may assume many different shapes, configurations, and may be in theform of containers of various 'descriptions-.i I

The outlet end 53 of the receptacle is connected to one -side of the tubsump 2S, so that there is free communication between the tub Vandreceptacle 50. The opposite end of the hose 51 Aisconnected at 54 to atank of). Tank 6b has enlarged cross sectional dimensions compared tothe-hose 51 so as to increase the volumetric capacity at that point forseveral advantageous reasons Vas will be described hereinafter. i

Located at the upper end of thetankeu is ka filling mouth 61. As lshownin FIGURES l and 2, the filling Vmouth'is mounted at the bottom portionof the Vdoor frame for ldoor 3.4, Vso that when the door is shut theillingmouth :is covered. On the inner side of the tilli'ng mouth .61 isVau upstanding splash panel 62. The ,splash panel has ,a hanged edgewhich is formed to the contourof the inside face of the door when shut.Acrossethe filling mouth 61 Y may bemounted a grating 63 to preventintroduction into Y the outlet 53 of the receptacle 5th Filling mouth 61for the receptacle 56 is located above the bottom of the tub, andpreferably above the washing liuidV level in the tub during the washingoperation, so as tofprevent the drainage or leakage of Vwashing iiuids.

Referring now to FIGURE 6, the Vstatic s urfacelevel of the washing uidsis indicated by a solid line.` However, fupon rotation of theV clothesdrum V2, the dynamic, or operating, fluid level Within the tub varies atdifferent points as indicated by the dotted line. Thus, at variouslocations at the bottom ofthe tub, differing pressure heads are found.

In order to produce circulation ofthe washing uids through thereceptacle 56 in the direction of the arrows indicated in FlGURE 6,`inlet hose 7i) is fastened to and communicates With the tub 15 at fapoint having a higherV dynamic uid pressure while thedrumv is rotating,than at the outlet connection 530i the receptacle 5t) to tub 15. Thediffering dynamic fluid pressures in receptacle associated with inlet 70and outlet 53;Y produce a iow, or circulation, of Washing iiuids asindicated by ,the arrows of FIGURE 6. The circulation is from tub `15,through inlet hose 70, tank 69, receptacle 50, and thence returns to tub15 via outlet 5,3. l

From the foregoing, itis believed that operation of the dispensingdevice of the invention is apparent. As indicated in FIGURE 4, theoperator induces bleach into the tank 60 through the iilling mouth 6,1.`The tank, being of an enlarged volumetric capacity permits the bleachto be contained therein without overowing. From the tankthe bleach isfunneled into the hose 51. VHose 51 is of a size large enough to containall of the bleach to be added, thereby preventing lbleach from enteringtub 15. Next, thefllng operation is started with therwashing iiuidsintroduced into the tub l5 through the water line 46. As shown in FEGURE5, the Water introduced through line 46 intotub 15 V,enters the hose 51via sump 23 and forces the bleach, now admixed with the water, into thetank 6i). Tank d@ being of enlarged volumetric capacity Idilutes thebleach by amounts ofV the water proportional Atoits size. Y

Upon rotation of the drum 22, dilterential pressures are produced intheVreceptacle V5i) through inlet 7G and outlet 53 which cause ow ofthewashing uids in the direction of the arrows shown in FGURE 6. lt isclear that the lrate of flow of washing juids is determined by thepressure dierential in .the receptacle associated with inlet 70 andoutlet 53. The desired flow rate can be obtained by location of inlet`7and outlet 53 at the proper points.

In the dispensing device .heretofore described, the additives aresufficiently delayed before injection into the Washing iiuids to permitthe iiuorescent dyes of the detergent to be `affixed to the fabrics. Theadditives are also diluted and diffused gradually into the washingiiuids.

Inthe drawings and specification there yhas been set forth a preferredembodiment of the inventiongand although specific Vterms are employed,these aroused in a generic and descriptive senseV only, and not forpurposes of limitation. vChanges Yin form .and the proportion of parts,aswell as the substitution of equivalents are conten.- plated, ascircumstances may Vsuggest or render expedient, without departiugfrornthe vspirit orscope of this invention as further defined in thefollowingclaims.v

-We claim: Y

1. Ina laundry machine operable through washing and fluid extractionoperations, a tubldeiined by wall members forming a single compartmentfor containing washing uids, means for supplying washing uids to saidtub, drurn means for rotation about a non-vertical axis in said singlecompartment of saidftub and said wall members openly facing saidfdrum,receptacle means for containing additives to be dispensed into saidcompartment, a filling opening communicating with said receptacle .meansfor introducing additives, inletvmeans in one of said Wall members ofsaid compartment communicating with said receptaclemeans, outlet meansin said compartment com-- municating with said receptacle means, meansfor rotating said ydrum to create differing dynamic duid pressures insaid compartment, said inlet and outlet meansconnected to said tub atpoints of said diifering ldynamic fluid pressures While saiddrum isrotating for circulating the Washing iiuids directlyfrorn and into saidsingle compartment through said receptacle means. Y i

2. In a laundry machine operable through washing and fluidextractionoperations, -a tub defined-by wall members formingfa Vsingle'compartmentfor containing washinguids, means for supplying washing liuids to saidtub, VK drum means 1for rotationin `said tub about a non-verticalVaxis'and said wall members being inopen confronting relationship tosaid drum, receptacle means outside of said tub forcontainingadditivesto be v`dispensed into said tub, a filling opening communicating withSaid, receptacle meansforintroducing additives, inletmeans in said tubcommunicating with said receptacle means, outlet means insaid tubcommunicating with said receptacle means, means for rotating said drumto create dilfering dynamic uid pressures in said compartment, saidinlet and outlet means connected to said Vtub at points in said wallmembers openly facing said drum and spaced traversely of said tub alongthe rotary path of said drum for circulating the washing V-tluidsthrough said receptacle means directly additives to be dispensed intosaid single compartment, a iilling opening communicating with saidreceptacle means for introducing additives, inlet means through one ofsaid wail members in said tub communicating with said receptacle means,outlet means in said tub communicating with said receptacle means, meansfor rotating said drum to create diering dynamic uid pressures in saidcompartment, said inlet and outlet means connected to said tub in directcommunication with said single compartment at points in said wailmembers of said differing dynamic iluid pressure heads While said drumis rotating for circulating the Washing uids directly from and into saidsingle compartment through said receptacle means.

4. In a laundry machine operable through a Washing operation, a tubdeiined by wall members forming a single compartment for containingwashing uids, means for supplying washing uids to said tub, drum meansfor rotation about a non-vertical axis in said compartment and said Wallmembers including a peripheral side-Wall member in open-facingrelationship to said drum means, receptacle means located outside saidcompartment for containing additives to be dispensed into saidcompartment, -a filling opening communicating with said receptacie meansfor introducing additives, a sump at the bottorn portion of said tub,inlet means communicating with said compartment and receptacle means,outlet means communicating with said receptacle means and said tub sump,means for rotating said drum to create differing dynamic fluid pressuresin said compartment, said inlet means connected to said compartment at apoint in said peripheral side-Wall member having a higher dynamic fluidpressure head while said drum is rotating thm the point at which saidoutlet means is connected to said tub sump for circulating the Washingiluids from and into said lcompartment.' through said receptacle means.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS WeldonNov. 20, 1894 Stelter June 22, 1926

